Some fine, flowing rugby had produced Park’s deserved interval advantage, Robin Eatough, Graham Seddon and Gavin Painter scoring tries with Painter adding a conversion.
But it was a different story in the second half. Having weathered early Park pressure when reduced to 14 men, the home pack got on top in the set pieces and they tore into the visitors, Grant Thompson crashing over for their first try which Arnie Stevenson converted, and even though a 30 metre breakaway by Park’s James Know for his side’s fourth try opened the gap again to 15 points, the momentum was with City.
Kevin Showler went over for their second try 8 minutes from time, Chris Metcalfe shot through a gap for the third and with Stevenson converting both, the margin was down to 1 point.
But with City pressing strongly for the winning score, time ran out and Mowden squeezed through to the next round.
CITY: Rob Smith; Chris Metcalfe, Richard Knowles, Peter Van Loo: Arnie Stevenson, Thomas Howard: Kenny Reader, Matt Young, Benny Parkinson, Peter Dent, Kevin Showler (capt), Alex Whitfield, Jeff Roberts, Howard Johnson.
Replacements: Tom Hand, Grant Thompson, Luke Burgess, Adam Armstrong